43rd State Blues: Democracy for Idaho - http://www.43rdstateblues.com
Blue-shifting the Gem State, one blog entry at a time.enLets change the Ada county caucus.http://www.43rdstateblues.com/?q=node/6289
<p>It is time to rethink the Ada county caucus. I know a lot of hard work went into it but the sheer numbers are overwhelming. We are the party that pushes early voting and absentee voting. We are the party that wants every vote to be counted. Yet we make our people stand in line for 2 to 3 hours to get into a building on a given day at a given time. Once there there is no food to buy. We volunteers are told that outside food is not permitted. The line to get in is so long that it is 9:30 PM before the scheduled 7 PM caucus can start. <span class='read-more'><a href="http://www.43rdstateblues.com/?q=node/6289">&nbsp;read&nbsp;more&nbsp;&raquo;</a></span></p>
http://www.43rdstateblues.com/?q=node/6289#commentsWed, 23 Mar 2016 13:51:01 -0400Debbie Holmes6289 at http://www.43rdstateblues.comLets change the Ada county caucus.http://www.43rdstateblues.com/?q=node/6288
<p>It is time to rethink the Ada county caucus. I know a lot of hard work went into it but the sheer numbers are overwhelming. We are the party that pushes early voting and absentee voting. We are the party that wants every vote to be counted. Yet we make our people stand in line for 2 to 3 hours to get into a building on a given day at a given time. Once there there is no food to buy. We volunteers are told that outside food is not permitted. The line to get in is so long that it is 9:30 PM before the scheduled 7 PM caucus can start. <span class='read-more'><a href="http://www.43rdstateblues.com/?q=node/6288">&nbsp;read&nbsp;more&nbsp;&raquo;</a></span></p>
http://www.43rdstateblues.com/?q=node/6288#commentsWed, 23 Mar 2016 13:50:57 -0400Debbie Holmes6288 at http://www.43rdstateblues.comHow Not to Run a Rebellionhttp://www.43rdstateblues.com/?q=node/6287
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<p><b>SECOND UPDATE: 2/12/16</b>. Advice: Don't harbor a future felon.</p>
<p>Melissa Cooper told OPB her husband was arrested in front of their two girls.</p>
<p>“It was traumatic for them,” Cooper said. “Then the FBI agents…these guys from Arizona, they let the air out of my tires so I was stuck. I don’t have money for new tires, and I’m trying to get them fixed right now.”</p>
<p>The FBI would not confirm the details of the arrest.</p>
<p>Read: <a href="http://www.opb.org/news/series/burns-oregon-standoff-bundy-militia-news-updates/5-more-militants-charged-in-connection-with-malheur-occupation/">7 More Militants Charged In Connection With Malheur Occupation</a></p>
<p><b>UPDATE: 2/12/16</b>. This entry of the hot new advice column: "How not to run a rebellion," offers wise counsel: If you are in a position to be charged with serious crimes including using a dangerous and deadly weapon to forcibly assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, and interfere with federal law enforcement officers; don't put an announcement on your website that says ...</p>
<p>From the Cliven Bundy official site: </p>
<p><center><a href="http://bundyranch.blogspot.com/">Wednesday, February 10, 2016</a><br />
ALERT<br />
WAKE UP AMERICA!<br />
WAKE UP WE THE PEOPLE!<br />
WAKE UP PATRIOTS!<br />
WAKE UP MILITA!</p>
<p>IT'S TIME!!!!!</p>
<p>CLIVEN BUNDY IS HEADING TO THE HARNEY COUNTY RESOURCE CENTER IN BURNS OREGON.</center></p>
<p>Ummm ... dudes ... like ... the cops will know exactly where you going and where you will be ... and you will have been disarmed at the perfect time for the arrest.</p>
<p>Read <a href="http://res.cloudinary.com/bdy4ger4/image/upload/v1455216027/Cliven_Bundy_court_docs_zwyknm.pdf">Cliven Bundy's criminal complaint.</a></p>
<p><b>STANDOFF: "We're not going to leave unless ... Oh Crap!"</b></p>
<p>Thanks to Ammon Bundy and his cast, we have a nice list of suggested ways to screw up a protest, or anything like one...</p>
<p>Begin by demanding the release of two "Patriots" from jail. Throw in demands for return of federal lands to "the people." </p>
<p>NOTE: be sure to deprive thousdands of people of the land while you demand its "return" to people you want to have it.</p>
<p>End up with all 16 of your final protestors in jail, charged or otherwise stuck.</p>
<p><i>PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Newly released documents show the four remaining occupiers at an Oregon wildlife refuge, including a couple from Idaho, are facing charges.</p>
<p>An indictment unsealed Thursday names a total of 16 defendants, including standoff leader Ammon Bundy and other occupiers who were arrested last week.</p>
<p>A federal grand jury charged all with felony conspiracy, accused of using intimidation to prevent federal officers from doing their work at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.</p>
<p>The armed holdouts have said they <b>wouldn't leave until receiving assurances they wouldn't be charged</b>. (emphasis ours)</i></p>
<p>SOURCE: <a href="http://www.ktvb.com/news/local/4-holdouts-in-oregon-standoff-facing-charges/32475378">KTVB.com.</a></p>
<p>PHOTO Credit: Ammon Bundy in Creative Commons YouTube video posted by Blaine Cooper, January 23, 2016, three days before his arrest.</p>
http://www.43rdstateblues.com/?q=node/6287#commentsThu, 04 Feb 2016 14:12:21 -0500MeAndG6287 at http://www.43rdstateblues.comBen Carson Speaks the Truth http://www.43rdstateblues.com/?q=node/6286
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<h2>He also played the tune on the First Thanksgiving ... </h2>
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<p><a href="https://youngpeoplespavilion.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/12065935_1217024651648020_3899651174023828151_n.jpg"><img class="alignnone wp-image-2675 size-full" src="https://youngpeoplespavilion.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/12065935_1217024651648020_3899651174023828151_n.jpg" alt="12065935_1217024651648020_3899651174023828151_n" width="500" height="500" /></a></p>
<p>SOURCE: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PeeFartyHatriots/photos/a.146479628702533.28614.146475095369653/1217024651648020/?type=3&amp;theater">Fee Part Hatriots</a></center></p>
http://www.43rdstateblues.com/?q=node/6286#commentsSun, 08 Nov 2015 22:52:53 -0500MeAndG6286 at http://www.43rdstateblues.comVoice Your Opinion On The Idaho Freedom Foundation Lawsuit Against Boise Schoolshttp://www.43rdstateblues.com/?q=node/6285
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<p>Wayne is smiling. Are you?</div>
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<p>"The lawsuit announced this week against the Boise School District is one worth watching because it will have sweeping consequences throughout Idaho," writes Wayne Hoffman of the Idaho Freedom Foundation. "While the Idaho Freedom Foundation’s complaint is directed at the Boise School District, it’s not the only school in Idaho where taxpayers are being forced to subsidize labor union organizing activities."</p>
<p><strong> VOICE YOUR OPINION: Comment on this topic <a href="https://www.facebook.com/youpublish/posts/890749361005802" target="_blank">on Facebook</a>. </strong></p>
<p>Wayne Hoffman, head of the Idaho Freedom Foundation, announced this week that his group has filed a lawsuit against the Boise School District, raising constitutional questions about the district’s contract with its local teachers association because itallows paid leave for members who are delegates to attend Idaho Education Association conferences and covers $35,932 toward the salary and benefits of the association president, a teacher who takes leave to fulfill association duties, according to Betsy Russell on her Eye on Boise blog.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&quot;Our lawsuit isn&#39;t just about Boise&quot; <a href="https://twitter.com/idahofreedom">@idahofreedom</a> &quot;Governments across the state give nice perks to union bosses.... <a href="http://t.co/hcxgKS3dJo">http://t.co/hcxgKS3dJo</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Michael Strickland (@PublishWithUs) <a href="https://twitter.com/PublishWithUs/status/640183087234617344">September 5, 2015</a></p></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><p style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<p>Hoffman continues:</p>
<blockquote><p>In Boise’s case, the school board and the Boise Education Association hatched an agreement long ago that allows a teacher to be excused from teaching to conduct union business but still remain employed by the district, remain on the government payroll and benefit from taxpayer-provided health and retirement benefits. In other words, taxpayers pay for a teacher who doesn’t teach. Instead the money and the resources go to a taxpayer-funded union boss.</p>
<p>This, we’ve alleged in the Boise School District lawsuit, violates the state Constitution. The constitution, borne of the days in which the railroads benefited from super cozy relationships with the government and ill-conceived funding schemes, forbids arrangements in which private organizations benefit from taxpayer support. The school district arrangement violates that covenant.</p></blockquote>
<p><a href="http://idahofreedom.org/education-lawsuit-will-have-sweeping-consequences-statewide/" target="_blank"><strong>Click here</strong></a> to read Wayne's full article.</p>
<p>Here’s a statement issued Thursday afternoon by the Boise School District.</p>
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<p><em>“Boise School District administration and board of trustees do not comment about pending litigation.</em></p>
<p><em>“However, it’s important for people to remember that for the last 20 years Boise School District has benefited from a longstanding collaborative relationship with the Boise Education Association. This partnership continues to foster a culture of respect and teamwork in the district where our professional educators are valued for their work in ensuring our community’s students are provided every opportunity to succeed in college, career and citizenship. It is due to this positive ongoing working relationship that Boise School District is highly regarded in our state and nation as a high performing comprehensive public school system.”</em></p>
<p>The Idaho Education Association (IEA), which was not listed as a party in the lawsuit, noted they are looking into the matter, according to the <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2015/09/05/lawsuit-idaho-taxpayers-shouldnt-have-to-pay-for-union-work/#ixzz3ksuQueCK" target="_blank">Daily Caller.</a> The union stated they have seen the BEA and the BSD do a lot of good for the schools.</p>
<blockquote><p>“The Boise Education Association and the Idaho Education Association have been made aware of litigation involving the Boise School District,” Paul Stark, the general counsel for IEA, told TheDCNF in a statement. “While we are investigating the situation further, we have no concerns about the appropriateness of the relationship between the teachers and the school district.”</p>
<p>“The BEA and BSD have developed a strong working relationship over many years, which has made the Boise School District one of the best educational environments for students in the state of Idaho,” Stark continued.</p></blockquote>
http://www.43rdstateblues.com/?q=node/6285#commentsSat, 05 Sep 2015 11:33:56 -0400MeAndG6285 at http://www.43rdstateblues.comJustice Scalia explains why Kim Davis should issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples or find a new job and other stories http://www.43rdstateblues.com/?q=node/6284
<p>"Think of it this way. Someone who objects to war due to his religious conscience has a right to be a conscientious objector and not serve in the military, even were there to be a draft. But he does not have the right to serve as a military officer, draw a paycheck from the military and then substitute his own personal views of when war is justified for that of the government. The same applies here." - Jonathan H. Adler in Washington Post</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Justice Scalia explains why Kim Davis should issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples or find a new job <a href="https://t.co/pUe9TJucGT">https://t.co/pUe9TJucGT</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Michael Strickland (@PublishWithUs) <a href="https://twitter.com/PublishWithUs/status/639112577742602242">September 2, 2015</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>New IDP Chair Bert Marley: Visionary Leader</div>
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<p> ***<br />
Idaho is at a tipping point.</p>
<p>Malcolm Gladwell, in his book, “<a href="http://amzn.to/1hyo6i4">The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Difference</a>,” describes this moment in Idaho’s history very well:</p>
<p>“Look at the world around you. It may seem like an immovable, implacable place. It is not. With the slightest push—in just the right place—it can be tipped.”</p>
<p>After so much time under the Idaho GOP’s political yoke, it can take an act of courage to embrace the truth that Idaho is on the precipice of achieving balance. It’s unsurprising that the Lewiston Tribune opinion page dons the emotional armor of skepticism and cynicism.</p>
<p>Here’s IDP Chair Bert Marley’s response to the <a href="http://lmtribune.com/opinion/forget-the-kentucy-derby-remember-the-triple-crown/article_baee4911-a5d6-54fd-9551-f0bba6f42058.html">Lewiston Tribune (paysite):</a></p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">IDP <a href="https://twitter.com/IdahoDems">@IdahoDems</a> Chair Bert Marley: “We Are Running to Win” <a href="http://t.co/MZyBlA6SJw">http://t.co/MZyBlA6SJw</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/dailykos">@dailykos</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Michael Strickland (@PublishWithUs) <a href="https://twitter.com/PublishWithUs/status/639085467309178880">September 2, 2015</a></p></blockquote>
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<p> ***</p>
<p>‪#‎Victory‬ ‪#‎Systemic‬ ‪#‎Institutional‬ ‪#‎Racism‬ The Pennsylvania Supreme Court tossed about 4,000 convictions issued by Ciavarella between 2003 and 2008, saying he violated the constitutional rights of the juveniles, including the right to legal counsel and the right to intelligently enter a plea.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Judge sentenced to 28 years for selling Black teens to prisons: <a href="https://t.co/UsD4fSFxeC">https://t.co/UsD4fSFxeC</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Michael Strickland (@PublishWithUs) <a href="https://twitter.com/PublishWithUs/status/638142675561025536">August 31, 2015</a></p></blockquote>
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http://www.43rdstateblues.com/?q=node/6284#commentsWed, 02 Sep 2015 12:40:17 -0400MeAndG6284 at http://www.43rdstateblues.comThe notion of an intractable "culture of poverty" has pushed our country in an especially ugly direction.http://www.43rdstateblues.com/?q=node/6283
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Via <a href="https://twitter.com/timjacobwise">@timjacobwise</a> &quot;White conservatives are quick to tell black folks and other folks of color to &quot;stop being... <a href="http://t.co/2jtaD7Y293">http://t.co/2jtaD7Y293</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Michael Strickland (@PublishWithUs) <a href="https://twitter.com/PublishWithUs/status/637921097749540864">August 30, 2015</a></p></blockquote>
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<p><i>White conservatives are quick to tell black folks and other folks of color to 'stop being victims,' and to bash them for adopting a 'victim mindset.' But then they base their entire political existence on the idea that they are victims: of brown immigrants, Muslims, “the gays,” trans folks, secular humanists, atheists, scientists, environmentalists, taxes, government regulations, affirmative action, Hollywood elitists, college professors, political correctness, feminism, anti-Christian bigots, the media, etc. In other words, the biggest professional victims on the planet — whose race, religion, and sexuality are still dominant throughout the society — think its OK to lecture others about the subject…fascinating.</i> – Tim Wise.</p>
<p><center><strong>Follow and comment on this discussion <a href="https://www.facebook.com/youpublish/posts/887801507967254" target="_blank">on Facebook</a></strong></center></p>
<p>In <a href="http://amzn.to/1LDg81v">Under the Affluence</a>, Wise builds on his fierce critique of racial privilege to discuss a related issue: class disparity and a culture of cruelty that demonizes those in need.</p>
<p>As Wise demonstrates, there was a time when the hardship of fellow Americans stirred feelings of sympathy, civic responsibility, and direct support for policies meant to alleviate poverty. But today, mainstream discourse increasingly blames low-income folks for their own situation, and the notion of an intractable "culture of poverty" has pushed our country in an especially ugly direction. Wise shows how the wealthy elite have commandeered discussions about class, moving the nation toward scorn and disengagement from the marginalized.</p>
<p>With clarity and precision, Wise not only documents growing contempt for the nation's have-nots, but also explores the underlying forces that perpetuate it. In doing so, he demonstrates how classism, racism, and sexism are inextricably linked, and how popular culture contributes to a deepening indifference to those who are struggling. Finally, Wise shows that far from a culture of poverty, it is the culture of affluence and power that deserves the blame for America's simmering economic and social crises.</p>
http://www.43rdstateblues.com/?q=node/6283#commentsSun, 30 Aug 2015 05:37:57 -0400MeAndG6283 at http://www.43rdstateblues.com